Another fantastic story, thanks, I laughed out loud at least twice.
But thinking about it, your Dad wrote a perfect short story. I think it's exactly the right length with an amazing last sentence. Perhaps he couldn't continue because the story was at its natural conclusion?
Writing one drop dead killer story is a great achievement. Many writers strive for that their whole lives.
Excellent. Solitude & loneliness--that passage drove me back to Dylan Thomas's poem that starts, "In my craft or sullen art," in which, I've been told, "sullen" doesn't mean morose or ill-humored, but "lone," the essential solitude of the writer or artist. "Exercised in the still night / When only the moon rages." And the lovers lying together with their griefs. Some poem. In my volume, it follows "Fern Hill," which I had my first daughter read to me when she was about ten--Kim has always been a reader, as is Jennifer (Jon not so much). It was somehow striking to hear that poem read in a child's voice. Well, I do go on. I'll bet you won't write that novel . . .
Jun 8, 2023·edited Jun 8, 2023Liked by Sherman Alexie
My father was also kind, funny, and unknowable. I think the funny part masked a lot that he was reluctant to share. Thanks for this great essay. I would love to read your completion of your father's book.
Good piece! For some reason, reading this, I was envisioning a graphic novel. What about hiring a graphic artist to do it? Just a thought. I was "seeing" this as a graphic novel. Maybe because I am reading all the banned books from 2022, and the first one listed is a graphic memoir titled Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe.
However you choose to finalize this, Sherman, what I appreciate most is your frame and what you bring into. Maybe that’s what writing is all about—the rearrangement of random moments to explain what the heck is going on.
Mmmm....! I'll read this novel.
Another fantastic story, thanks, I laughed out loud at least twice.
But thinking about it, your Dad wrote a perfect short story. I think it's exactly the right length with an amazing last sentence. Perhaps he couldn't continue because the story was at its natural conclusion?
Writing one drop dead killer story is a great achievement. Many writers strive for that their whole lives.
I will read this.
A nice piece of writing. So much said so efficiently
This is powerful stuff just as it is now. No need to expand it unless you're driven to continue their (and your) journey.
Excellent. Solitude & loneliness--that passage drove me back to Dylan Thomas's poem that starts, "In my craft or sullen art," in which, I've been told, "sullen" doesn't mean morose or ill-humored, but "lone," the essential solitude of the writer or artist. "Exercised in the still night / When only the moon rages." And the lovers lying together with their griefs. Some poem. In my volume, it follows "Fern Hill," which I had my first daughter read to me when she was about ten--Kim has always been a reader, as is Jennifer (Jon not so much). It was somehow striking to hear that poem read in a child's voice. Well, I do go on. I'll bet you won't write that novel . . .
Check out Maia...?
My father was also kind, funny, and unknowable. I think the funny part masked a lot that he was reluctant to share. Thanks for this great essay. I would love to read your completion of your father's book.
Good piece! For some reason, reading this, I was envisioning a graphic novel. What about hiring a graphic artist to do it? Just a thought. I was "seeing" this as a graphic novel. Maybe because I am reading all the banned books from 2022, and the first one listed is a graphic memoir titled Gender Queer by Maia Kobabe.
I wish my father had left behind writing. I think I might have gotten to know him better as a person rather than just as a father.
My dad had a couple of unfinished plays/movie scripts. I'm not sure what happened to them.
It will be a fine novel, and if as hilarious as heartbreaking, maybe the ultimate novel. Can’t wait. Thank you, Shermans two.
However you choose to finalize this, Sherman, what I appreciate most is your frame and what you bring into. Maybe that’s what writing is all about—the rearrangement of random moments to explain what the heck is going on.
I would read that novel and don't need to read the other commenters to see if i'm alone....lol.
Hope you do this dual novel Sherman. Just great stuff and it had me good.
I love the line about the difference between solitude and loneliness. Just one of the gems in that treasure box. I'd absolutely read that novel.